July 1, 2021 Appeal for Opinions on Draft Report of Radio Policy Roundtable in the Age of Digital Transformation

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has been holding a Radio Policy Roundtable in the Age of Digital Transformation since November 2020 (chaired by MITOMO Hitoshi, professor, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University). MIC organized this roundtable considering the expected acceleration of digital transformation in the entire society. The purpose is to examine issues related to radio policies in the age of digital transformation and new goal setting and realization measures for the effective utilization of radio waves, in addition to the future image of radio use.
Based on the study results of the roundtable, a draft report entitled “Radio Policy Roundtable in the Age of Digital Transformation” has been compiled recently, and MIC will make an appeal for opinions on the draft report from Friday, July 2 through Monday, August 2, 2021.

1. Background

With the COVID-19 pandemic as a trigger, it is expected that the Japanese entire society’s digital transformation, which is necessary for establishing a “new normal” and maintaining and developing economic activities, will progress further in the future. Under the circumstances, it is necessary to effectively utilize radio waves, which are finite and scarce resources shared by people and support digital transformation, and to spread the benefits to people and revitalize Japan’s economy and society.
With consideration of the above, MIC has been holding the Radio Policy Roundtable in the Age of Digital Transformation since November 2020. The purpose is to examine issues related to radio policies in the age of digital transformation and new goal setting and realization measures for the effective utilization of radio waves, in addition to the future image of radio use.
The draft report entitled “Radio Policy Roundtable in the Age of Digital Transformation” has been compiled recently with consideration of the study results of this roundtable, and MIC has decided to make this appeal for opinions on the draft report.

2. Appeal guidelines for opinions

• 1.
  Subject of the public appeal for opinions: Draft report entitled “Radio Policy Roundtable in the Age of Digital Transformation” (The published material is in Japanese only.)
• 2.
  Reference: Outline of the draft report entitled “Radio Policy Roundtable in the Age of Digital Transformation” (The published material is in Japanese only.)
• 3.
  Guidelines for the public appeal for opinions: The published material is in Japanese only.
• 4.
  Submission deadline: No later than Monday, August 2, 2021. (Submission of opinions by postal mail must also arrive no later than the deadline date.)

3. Matters to be kept in mind

Submitted opinions will be used as a reference for discussion when finishing the report. The content of the opinions will be summarized and announced after the end of the application period. Please note that MIC cannot make individual responses to opinions.